Paris win in Le Havre, extend lead atop the standings
A few days after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in the UEFA Champions League, Luis Enrique's side were back in the Ligue 1 action with one objective in mind: to confirm their status as league leaders and reigning champions. Prior to the match, Les Rouge et Bleu were one point clear of Nice, who has been beaten for the first time this season, 1-0 away to Nantes on Saturday evening. It was therefore a great opportunity for the Parisians to distance themselves from their nearest chasers, with Monaco in third.
And the game got off to a flying start, with the Parisians under pressure from the home side. The consequences were immediate, with Ruiz forced off injured (shoulder) following a dangerous corner, and Donnarumma shown red for a trip on Casimir, who had burst through the Parisian defence, just outside the area (11').
Arnau Tenas then took his place in the Paris goal (replacing Bradley Barcola) - the first appearance for the 503rd official player in PSG's history. With their backs against the wall, Les Rouge et Bleu refused to give up, and despite the early danger, it was Ligue 1 top scorer Kylian Mbappé who seemingly inevitably opened the scoring. Picked out on the edge of the area by Dembélé, the Parisian No.7 controlled the ball, got it on his right foot and curled a surgical strike in off the base of the post for his 15th Ligue 1 goal this season (0-1, 23').
Despite being a man down, the capital club continued to control the match. Mbappé almost doubled the lead, but his effort was disallowed for offside (32'). Le Havre tried to respond, and Casimir, once again, caused havoc in the Parisian box - but failed to put the ball past Tenas (43').
Unsurprisingly, at the start of the second half, the home side looked to put the Parisians under pressure again, and Tenas made his first-ever save in Ligue 1 when he palmed Kechta's powerful drive from 25 metres out over the bar (51'). The Spanish keeper was again called into action on 58 minutes, when he dropped smartly to deny Bayo's effort and he came up trumps once more - again to Bayo's chagrin - with a reflex save off his line after a header from the Normandy striker (63').
The Spanish keeper's strong display continued with a decisive double save to deny Alioui as Le Havre continued to go for broke against the outnumbered Parisians (78'). Danilo also proved decisive, preventing the Normans from getting back into the game when he headed a goal-bound shot clear a few moments later (80').
Mbappé went close to killing off the match when he drew a fine save from Desmas after Lucas Hernandez had opened the play up brilliantly. The opposing keeper came out all guns blazing (88'), but he was only delaying matters, as Vitinha struck the final blow with a lobbed shot that put an end to any remaining suspense (2-0, 89').
After a match full of surprises, the Parisians were thrilled as they picked up all three points at the Stade Océane and took a step forward in the standings. An ideal start to a month of December that promises to be decisive on all fronts.